Flexible potentiometer in a horn control system

ABSTRACT

A flexible potentiometer acts as a horn actuator in an automobile horn control system. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible potentiometer is adhered to a flexible substrate, which is in turn adhered to the inside surface of an airbag hub cover. The shape of the flexible potentiometer is chosen so that the automobile horn will sound when the driver presses against particular portions of the outside of the hub cover. The resistance of the flexible potentiometer changes as its shape changes as the user presses against the hub cover. A horn control circuit responds to extremely rapid changes in the resistance of the flexible potentiometer, but not to more gradual changes caused by, for example, temperature changes. Additional flexible potentiometers may be used to control other functions such as cruise control.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No.07/963,855, filed Oct. 20, 1992, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/552,575, filed Jul. 13, 1990, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 5,157,372.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The present invention relates to a flexible potentiometer used as a hornactuator in an automobile horn control system.

2. State of the Art

In the 1980's, automobile manufacturers began putting air bags adjacentto steering wheel hubs. FIGS. 1 and 2 show side and front views of atypical air bag system 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, air bag system 10includes an airbag 12 between a rigid steering wheel hub 16 and anairbag hub cover 20. Hub 16, which is connected to steering wheel shaft24, supports steering wheel 26 through supports 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D.

When the automobile has a sudden impact, a pressure capsule 36 releasesa burst of high pressure air into airbag 12. Airbag 12 is inflated inresponse to the burst. Hub cover 20 splits along a partially perforatedline 38 under the force of airbag 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, a typical automobile horn control system 40includes a horn actuator 42, which may comprise a movable element 44 anda stationary element 46. When the movable element 44 is pressed againstthe stationary element 46, an electrical path is completed causing anelectrical signal to appear on conductor 48 between stationary element46 and a horn control circuit 52. When the signal appears on conductor48, horn control circuit 52 activates a horn 56 through a voltage from apower supply 58.

Horn actuators, such as horn actuator 42, have been placed in a varietyof positions on the steering wheel and under or on the steering wheelhub cover. However, it has been found safest to position the hornactuators on or under the hub cover so that the driver may activate thehorn with the palm of his hand or lower part of the palm of his hand.

Manufacturers of airbag systems have placed membrane switch hornactuators between hub covers and airbags. Various problems, however,have been encountered in providing membrane switches that activate thehorn in response to a force within a desired range. Membrane switcheshave the tendency to require too little or too much force to close.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A flexible potentiometer acts as a horn actuator in an automobile horncontrol system. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible potentiometer isadhered to a flexible substrate, which is in turn adhered to the insidesurface of an airbag hub cover. The shape of the flexible potentiometeris chosen so that the automobile horn will sound when the driver pressesagainst particular portions of the outside of the hub cover. Theresistance of the flexible potentiometer changes as its shape changes asthe user presses against the hub cover. A horn control circuit respondsto extremely rapid changes in the resistance of the flexiblepotentiometer, but not to more gradual changes caused by, for example,temperature changes. Additional flexible potentiometers may be used tocontrol functions of auxiliary electrical components, such as cruisecontrol.

The function of the horn control circuit is to sound the horn when thedriver presses against particular portions of hub cover with at least athreshold level of force. The resistance of the flexible potentiometermay change with changes in temperature. Therefore, a preferred horncontrol circuit responds to extremely rapid changes in the resistance ofthe flexible potentiometer, but not to more gradual changes.

The flexible potentiometer includes a variable resistance conductivematerial the resistance of which significantly changes as the conductivematerial is bent. The flexible potentiometer may also include a constantresistance conductive material applied on top of the conductivematerial. The resistance of the conductive material changessignificantly as it is bent. The resistance of constant resistanceconductive material remains relatively constant as it is bent. Theconstant resistance conductive material provides a path for electricalcurrent which is in parallel to the path provided by conductivematerial. Therefore, the overall change in resistance of the flexiblepotentiometer is less if the constant resistance conductive material isapplied. Constant resistance conductive material helps to linearize theresistance versus load curve of the flexible potentiometer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical prior art air bag system;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the typical prior art air bag system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a typical prior art automobilehorn control system;

FIG. 4A is an inside view of a flexible potentiometer in a firstarrangement according to the present invention adhered to the inside ofa steering wheel hub cover;

FIG. 4B is an inside view of a flexible potentiometer in a secondarrangement according to the present invention adhered to the inside ofa steering wheel hub cover;

FIG. 4C is an inside view of a flexible potentiometer in a thirdarrangement according to the present invention adhered to the inside ofa steering wheel hub cover;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an automobile horn controlsystem that is responsive to a flexible potentiometer of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a horn control circuit thatemploys a microprocessor;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a flexiblepotentiometer of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is substantially enlarged cross-section of a portion of aflexible potentiometer of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of a representative potentiometer of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of a flexiblepotentiometer of the present invention showing two other configurationsin phantom;

FIG. 11 is a depiction of an envisioned microscopic enlargement of aportion of a flexible potentiometer of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a control circuit that controlsmultiple functions in the automobile; and

FIG. 13 is an inside view of a multiple flexible potentiometers adheredto the inside of a steering wheel hub cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 4A shows an inside view of a hub cover 70, which is designed tocover an air bag, similar or identical to the way hub cover 20 coversair bag 12. (FIG. 4A is an inside view in that it is viewed from thesteering wheel hub toward the driver.) A flexible potentiometer 74 actsas a horn actuator in a horn control system. Flexible potentiometer 74includes a flexible substrate 78, which is adhered to inside surface 80of hub cover 70. As explained below, the resistance of flexiblepotentiometer 74 changes as it is bent. The term "flexiblepotentiometer" is used, although it may be termed a bendable variableresistor.

Referring to FIG. 4A, flexible potentiometer 74 includes a variableresistance conductive material 86, such as an ink described below, thatis applied to substrate 78. Conductive junction points 88 may be usedfor convenience in manufacturing and assembling flexible potentiometer74. A constant resistance conductive material 87 may be applied on topof conductive material 86. The resistance of conductive material 86changes significantly as conductive material 86 is bent. The resistanceof constant resistance conductive material 87 remains relativelyconstant as constant resistance conductive material 87 is bent. Constantresistance conductive material 87 provides a path for electrical currentthat is in parallel to the path provided by conductive material 86.Therefore, the overall change in resistance of flexible potentiometer 74is less if constant resistance conductive material 87 is applied. Inthis sense, constant resistance conductive material 87 is an attenuator.Applying constant resistance conductive material 87 is an inexpensiveway to reduce the resistance in flexible potentiometer 74. Constantresistance conductive material 87 helps to linearize the resistanceversus load curve of flexible potentiometer 74. However, even withconstant resistance conductive material 87, the resistance versus loadcurve of flexible potentiometer 74 is still not completely linear.

When flexible potentiometer 74 is used as a simple on-off horn actuator,the extra precision allowed by constant resistance conductive material87 is probably not necessary. Accordingly, FIGS. 4B and 4C show flexiblepotentiometer 74 without constant resistance conductive material 87.Moreover, conductive material 86 could be applied directly to insidesurface 80. Therefore, flexible potentiometer 74 does not requireflexible substrate 78. Flexible potentiometer 74 does, however, requireat least conductive material 86 on some substrate.

The shape of conductive material 86 is chosen so that the automobilehorn will sound when the driver presses against particular portions ofthe outside of the hub cover 70. The shapes shown in FIGS. 4A-4C aredesigned such that the driver may activate the automobile horn bypressing against almost any portion of hub cover 70, except perhaps theedges of hub cover 70. (Hub cover 70 has curved portions that wraparound part of the air bag, perhaps giving the false visual impressionthat conductive material 86 does not cover as much of the inside of hubcover 70 as it in fact does.)

It is important that dislodged objects do not hit the driver in the faceas hub cover 70 splits along line 38 as the airbag is inflated.Accordingly, portions of flexible potentiometer 74 that may break arepreferably kept near the edges of hub cover 70 where they are lesslikely to strike the driver. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, substrate 78 andconductors 82 are present only at one edge of hub cover 70. FIG. 4Bshows conductive material 86 above and below line 38 that are joined byconductors 82. FIG. 4C shows conductive material 86 above and below line38 that are not joined by conductors 82.

Flexible potentiometer 74 includes leads 90 and 92 (and in the case ofFIG. 4C, leads 90A and 92A, and 90B and 92B), and that allow flexiblepotentiometers 74A and 74B to connect with an automobile horn controlsystem 94, described in connection with FIG. 5. (Horn control system 94is specifically designed for flexible potentiometer 74 of FIGS. 4A and4B, although horn control system 94 could be easily modified toaccommodate flexible potentiometers 74A and 74B of FIGS. 4C.).Automobile horn control system 94 includes horn control circuit 96,power supply 98 and horn 100. Power supply 98 and horn 100 may bestandard, well known automobile parts.

The function of horn control circuit 96 is to activate power supply 98when the driver presses against particular portions of hub cover 70 withat least a threshold level of force. A preferred horn control circuit 96has the following characteristics. The resistance of flexiblepotentiometer 74 may change with changes in temperature. Therefore, apreferred horn control circuit 96 responds to extremely rapid changes inthe resistance of flexible potentiometer 74, but not to more gradualchanges. As used herein, rapid changes are those roughly on the order ofthe time required to honk a horn.

The resistance of flexible potentiometer 74 depends on the shape andcharacteristics of various parameters including hub cover 70, the airbag, flexible substrate 78, and conductive material 86. The shape andcharacteristics of these parameters vary significantly from one model ofcar to another. Also, because of tolerances in manufacturing, the shapeand characteristics of these parameters vary even with the same design.Because horn control circuit 96 responds to changes in resistance ratherthan to the absolute resistance of flexible potentiometer 74, at leastrelatively small (and perhaps large) variations in the shape andcharacteristics of these parameters will not affect whether horn controlcircuit 96 properly responds to the driver pressing against hub cover 70to sound horn 100. A horn control circuit 96 having this feature is saidto have a zeroing out function.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of circuits maybe employed to carry out the above-described functions of horn controlcircuit 96. Horn control circuit 96 may include a microprocessor, whichprovides significant flexibility and ease in accommodating a widevariety of parameters.

Referring to FIG. 6, horn control circuit 96 includes voltage source 102that provides a voltage that represents the resistance value in flexiblepotentiometer 74. Voltage source 102 may employ a voltage divider. Ananalog-to-digital converter (A-to-D) 104 converts the analog signalprovided by voltage source 102 to a digital signal that is read by amicroprocessor 106. Microprocessor 106, which employs read only memory(ROM) and random access memory (RAM) 108, preferably responds to rapidchanges in resistance rather than to absolute resistance values.Moreover, microprocessor 106 may respond differently depending on themagnitude of the change. For example, microprocessor 106 could cause apower supply to send voltage levels to a horn that are related to themagnitude of the change, above a threshold level.

Disadvantages of a microprocessors include expense. The functions ofhorn control circuit 96 may be performed by a variety of analogcircuits, that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of a flexible potentiometer 74 of thepresent invention in perspective and substantially enlarged. Flexiblepotentiometer 74 includes a substrate 110 (identified as substrate 78 inFIGS. 4A-4C). Substrate 110 is formed of a deflectable electricalinsulating material. Various types of polymers, such as polyimide,polycarbonide, or mylar are presently believed to be suitable assubstrate 110.

Substrate 110 illustrated in FIG. 7 has a top surface 112 to which aconductive material 114 (identified as conductive material 86 in FIGS.4A-4C) is here applied in a preselected pattern. For example, in FIG. 9the pattern is "U" or loop shaped, which may be desirable for actuatorsof auxiliary components, such as cruise control. However, the precisiondescribed in connection with FIG. 9 may be more than is necessary forcruise control. Other shapes may be desired to produce a variety ofdifferent electrical outputs upon deflection.

Conductive material 114 of FIG. 7 is formed of an electricallyconductive ink which predictably changes electrical resistance upondeflection or bending of substrate 110 between a first configuration anda second configuration. Various types of phenolic resin materials arepresently believed to be suitable as conductive material 114. Forexample, a phenolic resin Formula 3609 manufactured by ElectronicMaterials Corporation of America, (EMCA-REMEX Products, AblestikElectronic Materials & Adhesives), 160 Commerce Drive, Montgomeryville,Pa. 18931, has been found suitable in that it is elastically flexible orbendable for many thousands of cycles or bends. Conductive material 114may also be a two-part epoxy material, a thermoset adhesive, or athermoplastic, all incorporating conductive material such as graphite orcarbon. Conductive material 114 may include a carbon ruthenium.Conductive material 114 may be conductive ink which is adhered tosubstrate 110. By adhere, it is meant that conductive material 114 isattached to substrate 110 because conductive material 114 includes amaterial which facilitates wetting, gluing, or sticking. The selectedink may include graphite in combination with a binder. The electricallyconductive ink is preferably of the type which is applied to substrate110 in liquid form and which in turn dries to a solid form. Segmentedconductor 116 is of the type which is applied to conductive material 114in liquid form and which also dries to a solid form. Alternatively,segmented conductor 116 may be a solid which is pressed onto conductivematerial 114.

The flexible potentiometer of FIG. 7 may include a segmented conductor116 (identified above as constant resistance conductive material 87),made of silver and adhered to conductive material 114. Segmentedconductor 116 is formed of an electrically conductive material insegments 116A, 116B, 116C, 116D and 116E, each spaced from the otheralong conductive material 114. It is also believed formable fromconductive silver alloys, or other conductive metals, as well asconductive carbon-based compounds. Segmented conductor 116 retains itselectrical conductivity upon deflection.

As noted hereinbefore, FIG. 7 depicts only a portion of a flexiblepotentiometer. That is, the length 111 may be longer (or shorter) thanshown. The width 113 is greater so that conductive material 114 may beformed into a complete circuit such as the one shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 8, substrate 110 is shown to have a thickness 118which is here shown substantially disproportionate to the true thicknessof substrate 110 solely to facilitate illustration. That is, forsubstrate 110 to be elastically deflectable, it is preferred that itsthickness be from about 0.005 to about 0.010 inches. If it is to beinelastically deflectable, the material and thickness should beappropriately selected.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, conductive material 114 is deposited to adhereto substrate 110 and in turn has a thickness 120 which is hereillustrated substantially larger than the actual thickness. That is, thethickness 120 is illustrated disproportionate to the actual thickness ofsubstrate 110 and of the actual layer of conductive material 114. Inparticular the thickness 120 of conductive material 114 is from about0.0003 to about 0.001 inches and desirably about 0.0007 inches.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, segmented conductor 116 may be positioned andadhered to conductive material 114. Segmented conductor 116 is comprisedof a plurality of segments 116A-E as illustrated in FIG. 7. The segmentsare each spaced apart a preselected distance 122 and 124 as shown inFIG. 8. Notably, the distances 122 and 124 may be different; or they maybe selected to be substantially the same, as desired by the user. Thesegments are positioned on conductive material 114 to regulate theconductivity and in turn the electrical resistance of conductivematerial as more specifically discussed hereinafter.

Segmented conductor 116 may have a thickness 126 from about 0.00035 toabout 0.00055 inches and preferably about 0.00045 inches. Each segment116F and 116G has a length 128 selected to regulate the electricalresistivity of flexible potentiometer 74 discussed hereinafter. As notedabove, the precision allowed by segmented conductor 116 may be more thanis necessary for simple applications.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, substrate 110 is shown with conductivematerial 114 positioned thereon. That is, conductive material 114 withsegmented conductor 116 is positioned on substrate 110 which isdeflectable between a first configuration illustrated with solid lines130 and a second configuration illustrated with dotted lines 132. Simplystated, substrate 110 is bendable or deflectable between theconfiguration 130 and the configuration 132. Upon deflection between theposition or the configuration 130 and the configuration 132, theelectrical resistance as measured between connectors 134 and 136 variesconsistently and predictably. That is, the variance in electricalresistance is not only predictable or known for the various deflectionsor configurations, but also the variance is consistent and does notradically or randomly change over the lifetime of the potentiometer.Thus, substrate 110 can be repetitively deflected between theconfiguration 130 and the configuration 132, and the resistance willthereby consistently and predictably vary to reflect the deflection andthe configuration.

Empirically, it has been ascertained that the deflection between theconfigurations 132 and 130 and all configurations therebetween can bedetermined so that the precise position of substrate 110 and conductivematerial 114 as it is deflected between configuration 132 andconfiguration 130 can be readily ascertained by measurement of theelectrical resistance at the connectors 134 and 136 and thereafter byappropriate computations, which can be effected using appropriatecomputer software as now available from Advantech, Inc., 1333 East 9400South, Suite 160, Sandy, Utah, 84093, or Abrams & Gentile Entertainment,Inc., 244 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. That is, amicroprocessor can be connected to the conductors 134 and 136. Themicroprocessor has software to in turn calculate the deflection of theflexible potentiometer between any two selected configurations. That is,the microprocessor is able to compute the relative positions of certainpoints 137A-G along the edge 137 of substrate 110 based on theresistance detected at conductors 134 and 136 and thereafter transmit ordisplay that information as desired. Thus, the position or configurationof substrate 110 and the flexible potentiometer is reflected by theresistance.

In FIG. 10, a portion of the flexible potentiometer is shown in a bentconfiguration A and in a further bent configuration B shown in dotedline. It is also shown in a non-deflected configuration C. Theelectrical resistance of the potentiometer consistently, predictablyvaries as the potentiometer is bent or deflected incrementally to anyconfiguration between configuration A, B and C as well as otherconfigurations involving greater bending or deflection.

As the flexible potentiometer is deflected or bent, it is believed buthas not yet been scientifically confirmed that the conductive ink whichcontains graphite, cracks or deforms as depicted in FIG. 11. That is,the dried conductive material 114 has a granular or crystalline-typestructure which cracks or breaks upon deflection. As the conductive inkbends, the number of cracks and the space between them is believed toincrease, thereby changing the electrical resistance in a predictablemanner. The change can be measured upon application of suitableelectrical signals.

Segmented conductor 116 is positioned along conductive material 114 inpreselected lengths 128 to control or regulate the resistivity of thedeflected conductive material 114 and in turn ensure that uponrepetitive deflections, the variation of the resistance betweenconfigurations A, B and C is consistent throughout the life of substrate110 and conductive material 114. More particularly, the length and widthof segments 116 as well as the spaces 122 and 124 between the segmentsis empirically selected to ensure that the resistance is consistentlyrepetitive.

With segmented conductor 116 affixed or adhered to conductive material114, the resistance may still vary somewhat over time, but the degree ofvariance is either within acceptable tolerances or otherwise measurablefrom time to time so that adjustments can be made to accommodate for thedrift in resistance over time.

Referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the flexible potentiometer hereillustrated has a first leg 138 and a second leg 140 both of which aresubstantially parallel to an axis 142 of substrate 110 which has anoverall length 144 as well as a width 146. The first leg 138 and thesecond leg 140 extend lengthwise and are interconnected by a third leg148 to form the desired configuration of conductive material 114.Notably, only one leg 138 has a conductive material 114 with a segmentedconductor 116 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The other leg 140 has aconductor which does not vary in resistance upon deflection.

It may be noted that the connectors 134 and 136 are slide connectorswhich are riveted onto substrate 110 or otherwise affixed thereto toelectrically interconnect the first leg 138 and the second leg 140 withexterior electrical components such as a microprocessor.

In use, substrate 110 is deflected repetitively and the deflectionthereof may be measured by measuring the variance in resistance at theconnectors 134 and 136. Thus, the resistance and in turn the movement ordeflection of a variety of objects can be measured accurately.

The present invention is not limited to using flexible potentiometer 74as a horn actuator. Flexible potentiometers may be employed as actuatorsto control auxiliary electrical components, such as windshield wipers,cruise control, headlights, radios, heaters. In this respect, theflexible potentiometer need not be positioned adjacent to a steeringwheel cover or an airbag. Some flexible potentiometers could, forexample, be placed on the dashboard.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, multiple flexible potentiometers 74, 166,and 168 are used to control multiple devices in an automobile. Forexample, flexible potentiometer 74 connected to conductive junctionpoint 88 is used as a horn actuator. Flexible potentiometer 166connected to conductive junction point 170 is used to controlheadlights. Flexible potentiometer 168 connected to conductive junctionpoint 172 is used to control cruise control. Voltage sources 102, 176,and 178 convert the resistance in the flexible potentiometers to analogvoltages which are, in turn, converted to digital voltages by A-to-Dconverters 104, 182, and 184. The digital voltages from A-to-Dconverters 104, 182, and 184 may have, for example, four bits, which areread by microprocessor 186, which may be more powerful thanmicroprocessor 106 in FIG. 6. Microprocessor 186 may respond differentlyto different voltage changes. For example, one voltage change mayindicate a low beam headlights condition, while a second voltage changemay indicate a high beam head light condition. In the case of the horn,different voltage changes would indicate different desired hornloudnesses. Flexible potentiometer 74 may act as a switch and magnitudecombination in which a threshold force turns a function on, butincreased force increases the magnitude.

A flexible potentiometer may be used as an actuator for a horn controlsystem in an automobile without an airbag. In an automobile with anairbag, a flexible potentiometer used as an actuator for a horn controlsystem does not need to be placed adjacent to the airbag.

Flexible potentiometer 74 is preferably adhered to inside surface 80 ofhub cover 70 in a mechanical nonadhesive technique such as heat stake,ultra-sonic bonding or molding technique. Alternatively, flexiblepotentiometer 74 could be embedded within the rubber of hub cover 70 oron the outside of hub cover 70. Conductive material 86 could be placeddirectly onto inside surface 80, but for ease it is placed onto flexiblesubstrate 78. Flexible potentiometer 74 could be placed on anothersurface such as a molded substrate. Conductive material 86 could bemolded into plastic.

Flexible potentiometer 74 may be placed any where there is movement. Forexample, flexible potentiometer 74 could be placed behind the airbag(i.e., so the airbag was between the driver and flexible potentiometer74) if the entire section moved. In any of the above-describedarrangements, flexible potentiometer 74 is operationally connected tohub cover 70 if pressing against a portion of hub cover 70 causesbending in flexible potentiometer 74.

Flexible potentiometer may be used to measure inelastic deformation sothat substrate 110 itself is inelastically deformable. Substrate 110should be deflectable without causing an electrical discontinuity oropen circuit in conductive material 86 while generally maintaining itselectrical insulating characteristics. In such cases, appropriatematerial should be employed, which may be different from the onesdescribed above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many changes may be madeto the above-described illustrated embodiments without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Therefore, the details of the embodimentsor alternatives are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible potentiometer horn actuator for use inan automobile horn control system of an automobile having an airbagbetween a steering wheel hub and a hub cover, the automobile including ahorn control circuit that selectively activates a horn upon receiving aninput signal, the flexible potentiometer horn actuator comprising:aconductor connected to the horn control circuit; a flexible substrateadhered to the hub cover; a conductive material connected to theconductor and adhered to the flexible substrate in a preselectedpattern, the conductive material having a resistance that changes as theconductive material is bent, whereby as a driver presses against the hubcover, the flexible substrate and conductive material are bent changingthe resistance of the conductive material and creating the input signal.2. The actuator of claim 1 in which the conductive material is dividedinto portions that are separated by conductors.
 3. The actuator of claim1 in the resistance changes due to cracking in the conductive material.4. An automobile electrical component actuator system for use in anautomobile having an airbag between a steering wheel hub and a hubcover, the automobile including a horn control circuit that selectivelyactivates a horn upon receiving an first input signal, and an auxiliarycontrol circuit that activates an auxiliary electrical component of theautomobile upon receiving a second input signal, the component actuatorsystem comprising:a first conductor connectable to the horn controlcircuit; a first conductive material in a preselected patternoperationally connected to the hub cover, the first conductive materialconnected to the first conductor, the first conductive material having aresistance that changes as the first conductive material is bent,whereby as a driver presses against the hub cover, the first conductivematerial is bent changing the resistance of the first conductivematerial and creating the input signal; a second conductor connectableto the auxiliary electrical component; and a second conductive materialin a preselected pattern operationally connected to the hub cover, thesecond conductive material connected to the second conductor, the secondconductive material having a resistance that changes as the secondconductive material is bent, whereby as a driver presses against the hubcover, the second conductive material is bent changing the resistance ofthe second conductive material and creating the second input signal. 5.A flexible potentiometer horn actuator for use in an automobile horncontrol system of an automobile having an airbag between a steeringwheel hub and a hub cover, the automobile including a horn controlcircuit that selectively activates a horn upon receiving an inputsignal, the flexible potentiometer horn actuator comprising:a conductorconnectable to the horn control circuit; and a conductive materialhaving a preselected pattern operationally connected to the hub cover,the conductive material connected to the conductor, the conductivematerial having a resistance that changes as the conductive material isbent, whereby as a driver presses against the hub cover, the conductivematerial is bent changing the resistance of the conductive material andcreating the input signal in the conductor when the conductor isconnected to the horn control circuit.